Family Life

10.24.12 | Sarah Harnisch

A General Accountability Office report says that certain implantable medical devices that can be accessed remotely are vulnerable to hackers. The report says medical device security is not being addressed by the FDA and too many heart defibrillators and insulin pumps could be accessed and settings changed by unauthorized people. The GAO recommends that the FDA make security risks inherent in such devices a part of its pre-approval process before a wirelessly accessible device is allowed onto the market.